The financial crisis facing the United States savings and loan industry has been steadily escalating over the last decade. During this time, accounting treatments concerning various thrift institution transactions have also attracted a great deal of attention. The specialized accounting treatments used in the thrift industry, known as regulatory accounting practices (RAP) have been blamed as one of the culprits hindering the regulators' ability to detect serious financial problems within many institutions. Accordingly, RAP was phased out, and all federally insured savings and loan associations began preparing their financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as of January 1, 1989. The purpose of this dissertation is to compare the relative predictive values of the two historical cost based accounting conventions (RAP and GAAP) available to the savings and loar? industry during the 1980's. For purposes of this dissertation, predictive value is defined as the usefulness in assessing future financial health and viability. The sample consisted of all the institutions reporting to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas between 1984 and 1989. Year-end thrift financial report data, obtained from Sheshunoff Information Services, Inc. (Austin, Texas) was used to calculate several financial ratios. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas provided a comprehensive listing of all institutions that failed between January 1, 1985 and March 31, 1989. The null hypothesis tested in this study was: no significant differences existed between the predictive values of RAP and GAAP financial statements. Using a dichotomous dependent variable (failed/not failed) and independent variables from prior research, several multinomial logistic models were developed to test the null hypothesis. All models developed failed to reject the null hypothesis.

The purpose of this paper is to look into the determinants of household savings in an international cross-section. The focus is on the effects from social security, old-age dependency, participation rate and change in unemployment, among other variables as an addition to the disequilibrium saving hypotheses, which is the base theory for the savings function. The fixed-effect least square dummy variable method is used on panel data of 14 OECD countries over the time-span 2000 to 2018. The determinants that has a significant effect on household saving in the empirical result is unanticipated income; a positive sign supports the permanent-income hypothesis and the disequilibrium saving hypothesis. This means that individuals tend to save the transitory income. The next significant variable is the lagged savings rate, which indicates inactivity in the savings behavior. The change in the unemployment rate is also significant and the positive sign supports the uncertainty hypothesis, indicating that individuals tend to save for precautionary reasons. The last significant variable was social security and it had a negative effect on household savings; which is supported by the life-cycle hypothesis, and can indicate a wealth substitution effect or general confidence in the social security system.

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Данная работа посвящена одному из самых интересных финансовых рынков- рынку сберегательных продуктов. Его уникальность обусловлена уровнем масштабирования и вовлеченности широких слоев населения. А современное состояние характеризуется синергетическим объединением традиционных и инновационных составляющих. Отталкиваясь от ракурса исторического развития сберегательного дела на примере СБ РФ, автор подробно рассматривает все виды сберегательных продуктов с учетом их особенностей. Проводит эмпирический анализ объема вкладов, предлагает методологию оценки сбережений. На базе проведенных оценок, сформированы предложения по дополнению продуктового ряда, а, так же, обозначен основной вектор роста сбережений- дальнейшее расширение технологических и инновационных возможностей и сервисов. / This work is devoted to one of the most interesting financial markets - the market of savings products. Its uniqueness is due to the level of scaling and involvement of the general population. And the current state is characterized by a synergetic combination of traditional and innovative components. Starting from the perspective of the historical development of the savings business using the example of the Sberbank of Russia, the author examines in detail all types of savings products, taking into account their characteristics. The author conducts an empirical analysis of the volume of deposits, offers a methodology for estimating savings. Based on the evaluations the proposals to supplement the product range were made. The main vector of savings growth was also identified – the further expansion of technological and innovative capabilities and services.

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Syfte: Studien ämnar undersöka bostadsrättsföreningars nivå av sparande för framtida kapitalunderhåll i Gävle kommun under räkenskapsåren 2018 och 2022 samt analysera vilka faktorer som kan förklara varför somliga bostadsrättsföreningar avsätter mer i sparande än andra. Metod: Vi har tillämpat en kvantitativ metod där data från årsredovisningar samlats in och använts för att beräkna och koda studiens variabler. För att testa hypoteserna analyserades data med multipel regressionsanalys. Resultat och slutsats: De flesta bostadsrättsföreningar avsätter adekvata medel, men en betydande minoritet riskerar framtida avgiftshöjningar för att täcka kommande kapitalunderhåll. Resultaten visar två statistiskt signifikanta samband med högre sparande och indikerar andra potentiella kumulativa effekter. Examensarbetets bidrag: Användning av en ny metod för empiriinsamling, ny strategi för fastställande av population och urval, undersökning av tidigare outredda oberoende variabler samt den första studien som specifikt granskar bostadsbeståndet i Gävleområdet. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Vi rekommenderar att framtida studier undersöker relationen mellan studiens beroende och oberoende variabler med ett större datamaterial. Ett större urval kan ge en tydligare bild av hur de oberoende variablerna påverkar bostadsrättsföreningars sparande. / Aim: This research aims to assess the savings levels for future capital maintenance by housing cooperatives in Gävle municipality during the fiscal years 2018 and 2022, and to identify the factors that contribute to higher savings in some cooperatives compared to others. Method: Using a quantitative approach, we gathered data from annual reports to calculate and code the study's variables. Multiple regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. Results and conclusions: While the majority of housing cooperatives set aside adequate funds, a notable minority face the risk of future fee increases to cover necessary capital maintenance. The findings reveal two statistically significant correlations with higher savings and indicate other possible cumulative effects. Contribution of the thesis: Utilizing a novel approach for data collection, a new method for defining population and sampling, analysis of previously unexamined independent variables and the first study specifically assessing the housing stock in the Gävle region. Suggestions for future research: Future research should examine the relationship between the dependent and independent variables with a more extensive dataset. Increasing the sample size may yield a better understanding of how the independent variables influence the savings of housing cooperatives.

Carbon tax, increased reactive power charges, tariff increases and the Energy Conservation Scheme (ECS) are some of the worrying electricity cost risks faced by large South African industries. Some of these proposed cost risks are not enforced as yet, but once approved could threaten company financial viability and thousands of jobs. Managing multiple cost risks associated with electricity consumption at several mines can be laborious and complex. This is largely due to circumstantial rules related to each potential electricity cost risk and unique mine characteristic. To limit the electricity cost risks for a mining company, clear strategies and focus areas need to be identified. No literature was found that provides a simplified integrated electricity cost risk and mitigation strategy for the South African gold mining industry. Previous studies only focused on a single mine or mining subsystem. Literature pertaining to potential risks is available, however the exact impact and mitigation on the gold mining industry has yet to be determined. The aim of this study is to accurately predict the impact of electricity cost risks and identify strategies that could alleviate their cost implications. Electricity consumption and installed capacities were used to benchmark mines and categorise them according to investigated risks. The benchmarked results provided an accurate starting point to identify best practices and develop electricity cost saving strategies. This study will highlight the additional benefits that can be obtained by managing electricity usage for a group of mines or mining company. Newly developed models are used to quantify savings on pumping, compressed air and cooling systems. To manage and report on the potential risks and mitigation, an ISO 50001 based energy management system was developed and implemented. The applied and developed models can also be adjusted to review and manage the potential cost risks on other types of mines. Derived risk and mitigation models were further used to quantify the impact on one of the largest gold mining companies in South Africa. These models indicate a potential annual price increase of 12%, while mitigation strategies could reduce the electricity consumption by more than 7%. Mitigation savings resulted from proposed projects as well as behavioural change-induced savings due to improved management. Over a five-year period the projects identified could result in electricity costs savings of between R675-million and R819-million. / PhD (Electrical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The "global" financial crisis (GFC) emerged during 2008 and it was mainly triggered by the sub-prime mortgage crisis (SMC) in the United States of America. The main aims of this thesis is to conduct an econometric analysis of the financial crisis and household savings in South Africa and also to provide a rationale that will facilitate a policy attention on Domestic Resource Mobilisation (DRM) through household savings. The study uses quarterly time series data for the period 199401 to 201102 obtained on-line from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). The research is based on the Keynesian saving function, which is a complement of the consumption function. The model will be estimated by using a cointegrating vector autoregressive (CVAR) framework, which allows for endogeneity of the regressors. To check robustness on the cointegration results, the study employs the second empirical technique based on Generalized Impulse Response Function (GIRF) analysis and Variance Decomposition. The regression equation of household savings is expressed as a function of household disposable income, household debt to disposable income, real GOP, interest rate, inflation rate and foreign savings. The variables are tested for the presence of a unit root by the application of the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (AOF), Phillips-Perron (PP) Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt and Shin (KPSS) tests. The findings of the study are that all variables have unit roots. The cointegration model emphasises the presence of a long run equilibrium relationship between dependent and independent variables. The CVAR reveals the short run of the dynamic household savings model. Taking this into consideration, the study concludes that household debt has a huge influence on the level of household savings. The econometric analysis also revealed that household savings in South Africa actually improved during the period associated with the GFC. It could be postulated that South African households responded to their deteriorating financial situations by reducing their average spending and increasing their savings. Variance decomposition analysis revealed that 'own shocks' constitute the predominant source of variations in household saving therefore household savings can be explained by the disturbances in macroeconomic variables in the study. The study recommends the promotion of household savings and economic growth in order to reduce the dependence of South Africa on foreign savings. DRM is therefore enhanced by a higher level of household savings, which can facilitate higher levels of investment and economic growth. / Thesis (PhD (Economics) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012

South African industries are challenged with above inflation electricity tariffs which may affect their competitiveness within their relative markets. In order to successfully manage these rising electricity costs and ensuing top market competition, a well organised demand side management (DSM) strategy must be implemented. Energy service companies (ESCos) have been assisting Eskom, South Africa’s leading electricity utility, in managing energy projects around the country. These DSM projects have introduced remarkable electricity and cost savings. However, the need for a sustainable energy management system (EnMS) within these projects does exist. This dissertation illustrates and discusses an EnMS designed to achieve maximum possible energy savings performances. The ISO 9 001 (quality management), ISO 14 001 (environmental management) and ISO 50 001 (energy management) standards were integrated for the development and implementation of this system. It provides a framework for project engineers and industrial clients to apply before, during and after project implementation. The use of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle will be applied throughout the dissertation. The PDCA cycle follows basic steps recommended by the relevant ISO standards. This cycle emphasises the concept of continual improvement. The developed EnMS was successfully implemented on various DSM projects. This selection includes previously maintained and new implemented projects. An analysis between the implementation and post- implementation performances supports the achieved results. The results of the case studies are presented in this dissertation. This dissertation illustrates that the continual improvement of an ISO based EnMS will result in a sustainable increase in electricity savings. An overall increase in project quality can be defined and measured according to the electricity consumptions and electricity cost savings. These electricity cost savings from the selected projects resulted to nearly R18 million during project implementation. A total amount of R52 million was already saved during the maintenance phase of 2014. This cost savings only reflect the results of the eight selected projects for the first eight months in 2014. The EnMS explained in this dissertation indicates that a continually controlled framework can improve the quality of DSM project implementation and sustainability. With the flexibility of changing the system according to impulsive constraints and client demands, the system can be used with various DSM projects. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The generation of compressed air comprises 20% of the total electricity usage in the mining industry, although compressed air is often seen as a free source of energy. There are however significant costs associated with generating compressed air and maintaining a compressed air system. There are several methods to optimise the electricity used to generate compressed air. The focus of this study is on one of these methods – the implementation of a dynamic air compressor selector. A Dynamic Compressor Selector (DCS) system was developed to fulfil this purpose. DCS is a system that combines demand- and supply-side management of a compressed air network. DCS calculates a pressure set point for compressors and schedules the compressors according to the demand from the end-users. End-users include shafts, plants, workshops and smelters. DCS takes all of the compressors and end-users into consideration while doing the calculations. This dissertation focuses on the DCS implementation process and on the problems encountered by previous authors while implementing the DCS technology. Additional problems were encountered while the DCS technology was implemented. DCS was however still successfully implemented. This study will expand the implementation procedure to ensure that the technology can be implemented successfully in the future. DCS was implemented at a platinum mine in South Africa where it was able to calculate pressure set points for the compressors. DCS was able to accurately match the supply of, and demand for compressed air closely, resulting in lower overall compressed air usage. DCS improved compressor scheduling and control, limiting compressor cycling. Improved compressor scheduling and control resulted in significant decreases in the electricity used to generate compressed air at the mine. A target average evening peak clip of 2.197 MW was simulated, set and achieved. Evening peak clip power savings in excess of an average of 3 MW were achieved. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015